Experiencing Pixelated Video on Your Doorbird?
A Doorbird video intercom is a premium device, and you expect a crystal-clear image to see who is at your door. So, it can be incredibly frustrating when the video feed is blocky, pixelated, or grainy. This not only diminishes the user experience but can also be a security concern if you can't clearly identify visitors.
The good news is that pixelated video is almost always a solvable problem. It's typically related to network conditions rather than a fault with the device itself. In this guide, we'll walk you through the common causes of poor video quality and provide step-by-step instructions to get your Doorbird streaming a sharp, clear picture.
Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
Pixelation is the most obvious sign, but poor video quality can manifest in several ways. Recognising these symptoms can help you pinpoint the root cause more effectively.
- Blocky or Grainy Video: The image is not smooth and appears to be made of large, clunky squares.
- Intermittent Freezing: The video stream pauses for a few moments and then jumps ahead.
- Colour Distortion: Colours may look washed out, incorrect, or have a strange tint.
- Smearing or Ghosting: Moving objects leave a trail behind them, making the video blurry.
- Low Resolution: The image lacks detail, even though you have a high-definition model.
- Lag or Delay: There's a noticeable delay between real-world action and what you see on your screen.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Doorbird Pixelation
Let's work through the potential causes, from the simplest checks to more advanced troubleshooting.
1. Assess Your Network Connection
The quality of your Doorbird's connection to your network is the single most important factor for video quality.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength: If your Doorbird is connected via Wi-Fi, the signal might be too weak. Take your smartphone to the location of your Doorbird and use a Wi-Fi analyser app to check the signal strength (measured in dBm). A signal weaker than -67dBm is likely to cause issues.
- Reduce Network Congestion: Too many devices streaming, gaming, or downloading on your network at the same time can consume all your available bandwidth. Try temporarily disconnecting other devices to see if the Doorbird's video quality improves.
- Analyse Internet Upload Speed: Live streaming from your Doorbird to your phone when you're away from home relies on your internet plan's upload speed. Run a speed test (while connected to your Wi-Fi) to check it. For high-quality HD video, you'll need a consistent upload speed of at least 2-4 Mbps.
2. Optimise Your Wi-Fi Environment
If you've identified a weak Wi-Fi signal as the likely culprit, here are your next steps.
- Move Your Router: If possible, move your Wi-Fi router closer to your Doorbird. Even a few feet can make a significant difference.
- Install a Wi-Fi Extender: A Wi-Fi range extender or repeater can boost the signal to dead zones in your home. Place it halfway between your router and the Doorbird.
- Upgrade to a Mesh System: For larger homes or properties with thick walls, a mesh Wi-Fi system provides the most reliable and consistent coverage.
3. Adjust Doorbird Video Settings
Your Doorbird allows you to configure video settings, which can be adjusted to match your network's capabilities.
- Log in to the Doorbird administration panel via the app.
- Navigate to the video or camera settings.
- You may find options for resolution (e.g., 720p, 1080p) and image quality (e.g., JPEG quality).
- Try lowering the resolution slightly. A 720p stream requires much less bandwidth than a 1080p stream and may be all you need to eliminate pixelation.
4. The Wired Solution: Ethernet
For the absolute best performance, a wired connection is unbeatable. All Doorbird models are equipped with an Ethernet port and can be powered over the same cable using Power over Ethernet (PoE). If you continue to have Wi-Fi issues, running an Ethernet cable to the device will provide a stable, high-speed connection that eliminates pixelation caused by wireless interference.